Kyle Lafferty axed by Northern Ireland over social media video as his club investigates
Our Memories section this week includes local grumbles about doctors – from 100 years ago. See Page 27.
KYLE Lafferty was last week axed from the Northern Ireland’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Kosovo and Greece after a video emerged which appeared to show the Kilmarnock striker using sectarian language.
The video, which appeared on social media last week, shows Lafferty reacting when a man posing for a photo with him says, “Up the Celts”.
A statement from the
Irish Football Association (IFA) ahead of the two matches read: “Northern Ireland Senior men’s team player Kyle Lafferty has been withdrawn from the squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Kosovo and Greece.
“The IFA is aware of a social media video which has been circulated widely. The association also notes an investigation has been launched into the video by the striker’s club, Kilmarnock FC.”
Lafferty, who has 20 goals in 89 appearances for Northern Ireland, is his country’s second-highest scorer, but the 35-year-old has been in and out of Ian Baraclough’s squad in recent windows and may now face a battle to return to the international ranks.
The video first emerged last Wednesday evening, with Lafferty’s club, Kilmarnock, announcing last Thursday lunchtime they had launched an investigation into the incident.
The club’s statement said: “Kilmarnock Football Club are aware of a video circulating online which appears to show a member of our playing staff using language of a sectarian nature.
“The club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. The matter will be investigated by the club.”